Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 158: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the certificate course in leadership and advocacy at Dundalk IT, which caters for students with an intellectual disability across the north-east region, will be maintained and the required grants for its continuation be provided into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12747/11]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Question 162: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the continuation of the leadership and advocacy course in Dundalk IT and similar courses which awards a certificate to those students with intellectual disabilities; and the alternative plans that have been made for the students of this course in the eventuality that the course is cut due to lack of funding. [12801/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 158 and 162 together.

My Department has no role in the provision of funding for the Certificate Course in Leadership and Advocacy at Dundalk Institute of Technology. In addition, the Institute does not accredit the course but it does provide classroom facilities, assists with student selection at the beginning of each course and facilitates a graduation ceremony at the end of the programme.

I understand that the course was funded by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform until 2008. Since that time the course was funded by Meath Intellectual Disability Work Advocacy and You Ltd (Midway Services) in the North East, which is a voluntary organisation part-funded by the HSE. I also understand that, as a result of reduced HSE funding, Midway Services is no longer in a position to continue to provide the course at this time. In the circumstances, the Deputies may wish to raise this matter with the HSE.